Israeli army chief: Battle against Hezbollah has only just begun
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has approved plans for the "next phase" of the war against Hezbollah, saying the battle against the Lebanese Iran-backed group "has only just begun."
"Once the battle in Iran ends, Hezbollah will be left alone and isolated. The battle against Hezbollah is a long one, and we are prepared for it," Zamir said.
"We are focusing our efforts on Iran, and the northern front is another central arena; the two are interconnected. The Hezbollah terrorist organization is a key arm of the Iranian regime of terror, and it made a grave mistake when it decided to join the fight against Israel. This decision harms both it and the entire Lebanese state," Zamir told generals at the Northern Command.
He added: "The message is clear: there is no safe haven for the regime and its proxies. Every threat to the citizens of the State of Israel will be met with a decisive, precise, and powerful response."
"In recent weeks, we have achieved significant accomplishments, attacking over 2,000 targets, destroying dozens of weapons depots, and eliminating hundreds of terrorists," Zamir said.
He added that Israel now is preparing to intensify its maneuvers and strikes according to "a well-defined plan."
"We will not stop until we remove the threat from the border and ensure the long-term security of the residents of the northern region. Simultaneously with the airstrikes, the IDF (army) is reinforcing the frontline defense to protect the residents of the northern region," Zamir vowed.
"We are ready for a long battle, and we will continue to act as needed -- offensively and defensively -- to ensure the long-term security of the residents of the northern region," he added.
Source: Naharnet
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